FROM UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
FOR RELEASE: WEEK OF APRIL 10, 1998
COLUMN OF THE AMERICAS by Patrisia Gonzales and Roberto Rodriguez
AZTLAN DRAWS IRE OF ANTI-IMMIGRANTS

About once a week, someone calls us "Aztlanistas." It's supposed to be some
sort of McCarthy-type insult. Aztlan, according to our accusers, is another
Quebec.

Accordingly, we're also accused of supporting the "separatist" organization,
MEChA, or Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan -- a national student
organization that promotes education and defends the rights of
Chicanos/Mexicans
and Central and South Americans. We find their work honorable and their
philosophy misunderstood.

Aztlan as a 1960s political idea sought to reclaim the original homeland of
the indigenous Mexica or Mexican/Chicano people. Thirty years ago, Aztlan was
symbolically represented by the lands lost by Mexico when the United States
warred on its neighbor in 1846.

A generation later, a new idea of Aztlan is emerging, particularly among the
young members, that they're part of a pan-indigenous spiritual nation, not
necessarily part of a geopolitical entity. As an anonymous Xicana from
Michigan
wrote to us last year: "Aztlan is everywhere I've ever walked."

While some still cling to the 1960s expression of Aztlan, its new adherents
are not nationalist, nor do they support patriarchal ideas that relegate women
to supporting roles. Many are women who spell Chicana with an X, symbolizing
their indigenous roots. Theirs is not a separatist movement. Aztlan has
re-emerged in response to this population, Mexican/Latinos, being dehumanized
to
the point where today many of this country's problems are attributed to them.
This feeling of being under siege has created a spirit of unity and a
spiritual
kinship with people from all of the Americas.

To some, the idea of Aztlan indeed sounds like Quebec's separatist movement.
Yet, this population did not elect to be designated and treated by the
government as a permanent lower caste of minorities and aliens. Nor have they
chosen to be segregated by corporations as the "Hispanic market."
Interestingly,
this "segmentation," because it involves hundreds of billions of dollars, is
not
seen by mainstream society as separation, but rather as part of the American
way.

For those who have been marginalized, viewing themselves as part of a
spiritual nation is both dignified and liberating. Many view themselves as
partaking in a process of self-identity, not bound by government or corporate
definitions, which they see as contributing to the systematic eradication of
their culture. Many consider the U.S. Census Bureau's designation of this
population as "white" a throwback to an era of shame and a continued effort to
obliterate the Indian or African within them.

To outsiders, the aforementioned ideas may seem unintelligible, but they
aren't. All it takes is a little knowledge to understand why this population
gets angry when the government and school textbooks erase their history. They
view the ripping away of their roots as the first step toward their
delegitimization and as lending credence to the idea that they're foreigners.

For many, Aztlan is simply about bringing a dignity to themselves at a time
when they perceive a full-scale attack against their culture via an
encirclement
of forced assimilation policies. And the irony is that these policies -- which
manifest themselves in national movements against immigration, affirmative
action, bilingual education and ethnic studies, plus the militarization of the
U.S./Mexico border -- are essentially fueling that quest for dignity.

Having a MEChA background should be a source of pride, not consternation.
For example, not long after Norma Chavez led a six-mile march on behalf of the
United Farm Workers Union -- in 110-degree heat in El Paso, Texas -- she was
elected to the state house of representatives in 1996. And Antonio
Villaraigoza,
Joe Baca and Gilbert Cedillo -- MEChA members at UCLA in the 1970s -- are now
California Assembly members. Villaraigoza, the speaker of the assembly, who is
being honored at this year's national MEChA conference at UCLA this month,
runs
one of the nation's most powerful state bodies. And yet, he's been derided by
foes as undeserving of the post because he was once a MEChista. Antonia
Hernandez, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense
and Educational Fund (and former MEChA member), will be keynoting the
conference.

All are examples of human beings who have not betrayed their principles and
who today carry on their human rights battles in halls of power. There's no
dishonor in that or in believing in Aztlan.